Grandmother's Wisdom Endures: Temper Outrage with Positivity

Columnist reflects on how his grandmother's approach to life during difficult times offers lessons for today.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The columnist reflects on how his grandmother, who lived through the Great Depression and World War II, maintained a positive and constructive attitude despite the challenges of her time. He contrasts her approach with the current tendency towards outrage and bitterness expressed through social media and the news. The columnist argues that adopting a more balanced, solution-oriented mindset, as his grandmother did, is a more effective way to navigate difficult circumstances.

Why it matters

In an era marked by polarization and a tendency towards outrage, the columnist's reflections on his grandmother's wisdom offer a timely reminder of the power of positivity and pragmatism in the face of adversity. Her example provides a model for how individuals can maintain hope and work constructively to address societal challenges, rather than resorting to unproductive negativity.

The details

The columnist contrasts the bitterness and complaints expressed by many today, fueled by social media and 24/7 news coverage, with his grandmother's approach during the Great Depression and World War II. Rather than wallowing in fear and anxiety, she focused her energy on survival, supporting the war effort, and preserving a way of life for her family. The columnist argues that this can-do attitude, devoid of bitterness, was a key factor in the ultimate victory of World War II.

  • In January, just over a month after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States was plunged into World War II.
  • During the Great Depression, the columnist's grandmother struggled to support her family on a working ranch in Nevada County before moving to Lincoln and working multiple jobs to build a home for her children.

The players

Edna Towle

The columnist's grandmother, who lived through the Great Depression and World War II, and maintained a positive and constructive attitude despite the challenges of her time.

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What they’re saying

“They would live with rationing. They would collect whatever materials needed as part of community drives to aid the war effort. They would work overtime every day to supply the war effort. They prayed loved ones and neighbors flung across the globe in harm's way would return home safely.”

— Edna Towle

The takeaway

The columnist's reflections on his grandmother's wisdom during difficult times offer a powerful counterpoint to the current tendency towards outrage and bitterness. Her example demonstrates the value of maintaining a positive, solution-oriented mindset, even in the face of adversity, and suggests that this approach may be more effective in navigating societal challenges than unproductive negativity.